Senior Jubilarians

Shirley Krueger, SNJM

Shirley grew up in Ashland, Oregon. One day her mother found her outside walking around praying from her father’s prayer book. She told Shirley that only priests and nuns did that. Right then at age eight she decided that she was going to become a nun, even though she didn’t know what a nun was as there were none in her hometown.

It was not until she was a 26-year-old student at Portland State University that she was able to pursue her dream.

As a parishioner at St. Mary’s Cathedral in downtown Portland, she spoke of her desire to enter the convent to pastor Father Francis Schaefers, brother of Holy Names Sister Gertrude Schaefers. He directed her to the Holy Names community and others in the area. She met with Holy Names at Marylhurst and felt she did not need to look any further.

In 1962, when she graduated from PSU with a bachelor’s degree in education, Shirley entered the Holy Names novitiate at Marylhurst.

Her SNJM ministry career began as a teacher of high school mathematics and business courses. As it was the advent of computers and computer education in the schools, Shirley offered numerous workshops for elementary and secondary educators in computer skills and implementation. Her 16-year career in secondary education included assignments at Marist High School in Eugene and St. Mary’s Academy in downtown Portland.

She then took a sabbatical year in San Antonio, Texas. During her time there, Shirley was attracted by two new interests. The first was centering prayer, a form of meditation used by Christians that places a strong emphasis on the intention to be open to the presence and action of the Holy Spirit. The second was alcohol and drug counseling, addressing her own problems with alcohol. She went on to complete a two-year program at Portland Community College to become a counselor. She worked at Columbia River Correctional Institute in NE Portland in that capacity until mandatory retirement at 65.

After retiring, Shirley remained a busy volunteer, teaching workshops on centering prayer and working with many other groups throughout Oregon. She continued to be active in Alcoholics Anonymous.

Shirley lives in Lake Oswego, Oregon, a resident since 2014 of the continuing care retirement community Mary’s Woods at Marylhurst.

Elizabeth Liebert, SNJM

Elizabeth was born and raised in Seattle, Washington, as the only daughter of three children of Irene Doll and Joseph Liebert. She attended Holy Names Academy for both her grade and high school, so she knew Sisters of the Holy Names all through her childhood. Especially significant among these relationships were her music teachers, who offered her a window into beauty, creativity, deep personal relationships and joyful community life.

Upon graduation from HNA, she entered the novitiate at Marylhurst, Oregon, as one of the first group of postulants for the newly formed Washington province. After completing her undergraduate degree at Spokane’s Fort Wright College of the Holy Names and Gonzaga University, she taught at St. Aloysius in Spokane as a math specialist. She then completed a master’s degree in Religious Studies from Gonzaga University and began teaching at Fort Wright College in the religious studies department, where she also directed the Christian Ministries Graduate Program.

Realizing that she wanted to continue teaching undergraduate and graduate theology and religious studies, she subsequently completed a PhD at Vanderbilt University. Then followed 43 years in seminary teaching, first at St. Thomas Theological Seminary in Denver, and then at San Francisco Theological Seminary and the Graduate Theological Union. At SFTS, she served as Professor of Spiritual Life, Director of the Program in Christian Spirituality, Dean of the Seminary and Vice President for Academic Affairs. She was among the GTU professors who created the first PhD level curriculum in Christian Spirituality.

Most recently, she has been engaged in adjunct teaching, consulting, spiritual direction and retreat work. She is the author, co-author or co-editor of six books. The sixth, titled The Soul of Discernment: A Spiritual Practice for Communities and Other Institutions was released in August 2015. She is currently working with three other SNJMs on a book about the spirituality of the Holy Names Sisters.

Her longstanding interest and commitment to spiritual formation resulted in working several times in SNJM formation programs. She has done considerable consultation on the spirituality and charism of Blessed Marie-Rose Durocher and the Congregation.

Later this year Beth will move to Lake Oswego, Oregon, joining the community of Sisters living at the former faculty house at Marylhurst Commons, now a house of hospitality for SNJM guests.

Lydia Nikolaisen, SNJM

In August 1962, Lydia entered the Novitiate of the Holy Names Sisters at Marylhurst, Oregon, from the newly founded Washington Province. After novitiate training, vow classes, formation in SNJM spirituality and college classes, she moved to Spokane for further formation and study at Fort Wright College.

Since studying did not come easily to her, Lydia considers her best achievement in those years was becoming grounded in the SNJM community, bonding with her Sisters and making vows to carry on the community charism of education in the faith: full development of the human person. Our formation is life long—together we grow and change with great prayer times, rituals and regular meetings for business and celebration.

The Sisters Lydia lived and taught with, especially in the beginning, were her most effective mentors. She watched, learned and caught the excitement and commitment that teaching requires.

During her 40 years in education, she taught in Washington state, including first grade at St. Frances Cabrini, Tacoma, and St. Anne’s, St. Joseph’s and St. Paul’s in Seattle. Holy Family in White Center, teaching second grade, was her longest ministry.

All were parish schools. With marvelous professional colleagues, many of whom became personal friends, the faculties worked together for the best learning experiences for their students with great fun together along the way! Parents were committed to the best education for their children—passing on the Catholic/Christian tradition in the context of vibrant parish life. The school and parish families played a significant role in how Lydia continued to learn and grow in confidence knowing that as part of this SNJM community she could have influence for good.

In 2009 Lydia retired and moved to Chancery Place Apartments in Seattle.
She worshipped at St. James Cathedral Parish and served with the parish St. Vincent De Paul helping those in need. Additionally, she volunteered at St. George’s School.

In 2013 health concerns took over and, consequently, in 2020 Seattle’s Murano Senior Living became Lydia’s home. Gym instructor Ruben Pereyra became her personal trainer and spirit partner, and her life became about new goals and new energy.

Of course, her Nikolaisen family has always been there for her. She is number 11 of 12 children. They continue to gather, touch base and celebrate.

“With family, partners in education, friends, students, parish communities and the Holy Names Sisters, how truly blessed I am,” she says. Thank God!

Linda Orrick, SNJM

I am the older sister of Jan Cowing, born to Lucille and Olliver “Bang” Orrick in Woodland, California. My early education was with the Sisters of the Holy Cross. I was introduced to the Sisters of the Holy Names when I began at College of the Holy Names. This sealed my fate as a Holy Names Sister. I was attracted by the joyful service of the Sisters, particularly those who lived with us in the residence halls.

Five years later, after first profession as an SNJM, I was back at College of the Holy Names and would live and work with the students and Sisters in the residence halls for the next eleven years.

Studying during the summers, I earned a Master’s Degree in non-profit management from the University of Notre Dame, Indiana. This Business and finance degree would direct the next 40 years of my ministry.

After seven years as the Treasurer of the SNJM California Province, I have served as Treasurer or CFO for four other religious communities of women. I have also had the privilege of being a consultant to many more religious communities of both women and men.

My life has been greatly enriched by my volunteer service as a Trustee or Board Member of numerous organizations particular those working to support the economic self-sufficiency of women.

Each of these experiences has deepened my gratitude for the lifetime gift of being a Sister of the Holy Names and the opportunity to share my life with such a group of wonderfully holy and committed women.

Teresa Shields, SNJM

Teresa Shields (Sister Mary Julie Rose) grew up in Southern California and Spokane, Washington, with five siblings. Her parents met in the Marine Corps during World War II, so the children learned the Marine Corps Hymn along with nursery rhymes.

In 1962 Teresa entered the novitiate at Marylhurst, Oregon, from the newly formed Washington province. After two and a half years, those from Washington moved to Spokane to complete college at Fort Wright College.

College was a wonderful experience for Teresa, as were her first years of teaching in Catholic schools in Everett, Spokane and Seattle. She still maintains contact with some former students and their parents.
1984 was a momentous year for Washington SNJMs. Sister Kay Burton, Province Leader, sent four Sisters to start an educational mission in Jonestown, Mississippi. Sisters Ann Skok and Teresa taught at Immaculate Conception, a historically African American Catholic school. Sisters Rose Monica Rabdau and Mildred Hein tutored children in their home and visited families who needed assistance.

In 1992, after the closure of Immaculate Conception and another Catholic school in Mound Bayou, Teresa was asked to develop educational programs in Jonestown. Many grants and donations enabled purchase an eight-room house, which became the Jonestown Family Center for Education and Wellness. Teresa learned Mississippi childcare regulations, as well as fund raising and staff development skills. Programs expanded from after-school tutoring to summer enrichment for grades 1-5, a toddler play group, parent education, and Girls to Women for grades 4-6.

In 1998 Sister Deanna Randall, BVM, a Montessori-trained educator, arrived. By 2002, with the expansion of the pre-school program, Teresa embarked on a capital campaign for construction of a school for a three year Montessori program serving 30 children preparing for first grade.

In 2016, after 32 wonderful years in Jonestown, Teresa retired, returning to her hometown Seattle. A Baptist group from Jackson, BGM (But God Ministries), wanting to start a ministry in the Delta, moved into the Jonestown facilities with the U.S.-Ontario Province deeding the buildings and grounds, as well as two vans and fitness equipment to BGM.

Teresa is so grateful for the profound experience of working and living in an intercultural, intercommunity setting for so many marvelous, challenging years.

When Teresa returned to Seattle, she got some good advice from friends. “Don’t rush into things.” “Take it slow.” So, she did—seeing her family and getting to know the new grandnieces and grandnephews. She joined St. Vincent de Paul to help her neighbors with rent and food and last year began tutoring K-6 children at the Lake City Library every Thursday.

Happiness plus wonder equals gratitude. Teresa’s heart is overflowing with gratitude and joy as she celebrates fabulous years as a Holy Names Sister.

75 Years (bios coming soon)

Theresa Cecilia Lowe, SNJM

70 Years (bios coming soon)